State Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, opponent of a statewide sex education curriculum. ""This legislation is not about sex education but about a social agenda . . . a social agenda with a world view . . . .Why is Seattle allowed to tell me in Ferndale how our school is to be run." less

State Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, opponent of a statewide sex education curriculum. ""This legislation is not about sex education but about a social agenda . . . a social agenda with a world view . . . ... more

Photo: Dougericksen.src.wastateleg.org

Photo: Dougericksen.src.wastateleg.org

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State Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, opponent of a statewide sex education curriculum. ""This legislation is not about sex education but about a social agenda . . . a social agenda with a world view . . . .Why is Seattle allowed to tell me in Ferndale how our school is to be run." less

State Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, opponent of a statewide sex education curriculum. ""This legislation is not about sex education but about a social agenda . . . a social agenda with a world view . . . ... more

The Washington State Senate, on a party-line 28-21 vote, approved legislation Wednesday requiring that all the state's K-12 public schools offer a sex education curriculum, with parents having the option to opt out.

Lawmakers heard a lengthy debate, with supporters saying kids must learn early how to resist and reject sexual overtures, while Republican opponents warned of "state mandates," a "social agenda" and "Seattle values."

"This legislation is not about sex education, but about a social agenda . . . a social agenda with a world view," said Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, who asked: "Why is Seattle allowed to tell me in Ferndale how our school is to be run?"

The sex ed vote was "an historic day in a bad way," added Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley. "What they (constituents) don't like is people jamming Seattle values down their throats and that is what they are doing here."

Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Federal Way, said, however, that the bill should be dedicated to girls she met as a Tacoma teacher who found themselves "pregnant and parenting while not having training" in sex education or choices.

One out of every 14 women in America is sexually assaulted by age 18, argued Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island. They need to "learn how to say no . . . You can say something. It's O.K. to say something."

"Consent is not being taught, students are not being given a safe place to learn," Wellman added.

Opposition was led by Ericksen, the rural Whatcom County lawmaker who co-chaired President Trump's 2016 campaign in Washington.

Statewide sex education will "alienate large numbers of people in Washington state," Ericksen warned. He described the legislation as "offensive and ridiculous" and a "one size only" program many parents will hold suspect.

Republicans offered a succession of amendments, notably one nixing sex ed in early trades. Not wise, said Wellman, adding: "Little kids need to know there is a right not to let other people touch their bodies."

"They don't know how to say 'No'," added Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview.

But Padden wondered about the wisdom of starting young, saying: "I don't know about you folks but when I went to kindergarten my big concern was having a blanket for my nap."

SB 5395 would require public schools to provide evidence-based sexual health education curricula from a list developed by the State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, or other sources that satisfy the Superintendent's office.

The legislation goes to the state House of Representatives.

The Senate also passed, on a bipartisan 29-20 vote, legislation requiring school districts to adopt or amend anti-harassment policies to ensure they are inclusive of needs of transgender students.

The Senate debate was serious, with one thoughtful Republican voice heard in opposition. Sen. Maureen Walsh, R-College Place, argued that Democrats were "going a little too far with the mandates on this one."

"I don't want to over-inform," Walsh said. "Kids have a lot of carnal knowledge now, a lot more than when I was their age."

Columnist Joel Connelly has written about politics for the P-I since 1973.